Michigan State commitment Russell Byrd received a coveted invitation as one of 20 elite wing players selected to participate in the Paul Pierce Skills Academy, which takes place in Boston the final week of June.

As a participant in the Pierce Skills Academy, Byrd will get an automatic invitation to the Lebron James Skills Academy in July. The Lebron Academy features 80 players features each of four groups of 20 players invited to play at individual skills academies hosted by elite NBA players like James, Pierce, Steve Nash, and Amare Stoudemire.

"I am really excited about the invitation," Byrd said. "It is a really big stage for me to prove myself on against some of the top players in the country."